It isn’t easy breaking into the modeling industry, even if you are a self proclaimed ‘Diamond in the Rough’ such as Miami, Florida’s own Luxury Diamond. Born to Haitian parents who were initially against her love for modeling, Diamond had to fight many battles to get where she is at today, all the while convincing herself that her efforts would be beneficial at the end of the day.

The work has seemed to pay off, as Diamond has gotten more exposure throughout her recent time in the industry which has lead to appearances in seperate Flo Rida videos, the most notable being ‘Street Money’. Despite knowing deep within that she could venture into a variety of fields, Diamond’s mind is set towards pushing her modeling career to the next level and admits that it won’t come without a lot of hard work and detractors along the way.

While living in Miami, Diamond has gotten to take in the best that South Florida has to offer and she has collaborated with many artists and personalities in the music industry and entertainment field. The variety that South Florida brings is something Diamond can relate to and embrace.

In a recent one on one interview with 24HourHipHop.com, Diamond opened up about her deepest aspirations and her biggest obstacles facing her quest within the industry. Whether classy, sassy, or jazzy, Luxury Diamond is always a lady and speaks with great conviction of her love for her career. This is what she had to say…

A: How did you first get into modeling?

A: I honestly just got into it recently. I have always loved taking pictures and I wanted to take that love further into something else. I enjoy the simple fact that with my pictures, I think they have a way of telling a story. I like when I take certain poses or do things a certain way, you can pretty much tell, based on the picture, what the idea of the shot was.”

Q: What are some of the hardest things about being a model?

A: I have found that sometimes people fail to take you seriously just because you are a model. I’ve also noticed that there are times when I have tried to do a job and keep things professional, that other people have different ideas, especially if you are an attractive model.

Q: Elaborating on that further, in what ways do you feel you sometimes aren’t taken seriously?

A: I’ve just noticed that people always seem to think it’s a game as far as the modeling itself. When you want to do certain jobs like on calendars or book certain type of jobs, just because you are beautiful people won’t try to vibe with you on a professional level and instead take things a bit too personal. If you keep dealing with that, it can really mess you up if you can’t handle it.

Q: What do you feel are some of the most rewarding and positive things about being a model?

A: I’ve just had a lot of girls who have written me and told me that they look up to me and that I am very beautiful. I’ve been told by people that they would love to someday take beautiful pictures like the ones I take. Getting support like that really is a plus to me. It makes me feel good at the end of the day.

Q: What are some of your best qualities and attributes as a model?

A: I just feel that I am simply creative in a lot of ways. I like to try to do different things and never just limit myself by saying ‘I don’t really think I could do that’. I think that my look is versatile and I can change it up from being classy to modern, to just sheik or whatever. I try to do a little bit of everything.

Q: What are some of the things that take place behind the scenes in the modeling industry that the public isn’t aware of?

A: It’s fun but at the same time it is a lot of hard work. You have to work out, you have to maintain your diet, and you have to be on point with everything that you do. It’s not just about waking up and taking pictures. It’s a job and there are a lot of areas you have to cover and it all depends on how seriously you take it. I’m actually trying to bring my career to the next level now and it isn’t going to come easy.

Q: Do you feel that it is a really cut-throat and competitive business?

A: Most definitely because especially in Miami alone there are a million pretty, beautiful girls. It’s all about how you market yourself and how hard you try to make yourself stand out. That’s why I am trying to bring the creative part to it.

Q: What’s it like being in front of the camera? Does another side of you come out?

A: I love being in front of the camera. At first it can be a little bit uneasy but after a while you just go into your own zone and just do you. You just shine.

Q: Do you feel that there are certain photographers who you work better with because you have a better connection with them?

A: Most definitely. You have to have a connection with the photographer if you want to make it happen. Your pictures will come to life and you will really be able to see the vision that you want to do. It’s all about the connection that you have with the photographer and most photographers will do a test shoot with you beforehand. When you do that test shoot you get to know one another and it helps the process. So far I haven’t had anything to complain about.

Q: As a model do you feel that you are stereotyped unfairly by people?

A: Of course there are always going to be stereotypes but that is something you just have to learn to deal with. If you really want to do this there are going to be several things you just have to look past, otherwise you will just become another statistic.

Q: How do you stay positive and motivated towards your job and the things you are trying to accomplish in your life?

A: The way that I stay positive is through my four year old son. He is my main motivation alone, and not only do I work in the modeling industry but I also have other things I am trying to do in my life. There are other fields I am involved in and I have found out that I can pretty much do anything I set my mind to.

Q: To those who don’t know you, how would you describe yourself as a person?

A: I’m just down to earth. I am able to relate to anyone and I am a friendly person. I am like a motivator in a lot of ways because people have come to me for a lot of advice over the years. I just keep things real and I think people can sense that. I’ve always been that way and I’ve found people will always hate on you, it’s just how you deal with it.

Q: In what ways has modeling opened your eyes and changed your life?
A: I’ve met a lot of people and I have done a lot of things that I never would have imagined doing. I’ve working with Flo Rida and Brisco through working with Poe Boy Records. They were very cool people and I have met other people in the music industry that I never would have imagined I would have gotten close to such as Eady (big bank music), Gunplay, Torch (triple c’s), Chris Larceny (director), Mista Mac and many more. This is a competitive field and I’ve learned it’s all up to as to how far you want to take things.

Q: Do you feel you are living your dreams through modeling?

A: I feel like if I take it to the next level then I can really say that I am living the dream. Right now times are hard on a lot of people and I know it’s going to take a lot of work. Still, it’s a new year, 2009, and I am going to work hard this year. I’ve done a lot of photo shoots, I’ve done some shows, and I have other projects that I am also working on. Hopefully it all goes well and I can really say that I am living my dream through modeling.

For more information on Luxury Diamond, please visit her at

www.myspace.com/LuxuryDiamond and www.ModelMayhem.com/782572

If you liked the article, you can reach Chris at Trimond@aol.com or www.Myspace.com/BoxingHarmony

Thank you to Tara Koerner of SpecialTretouch for photo editing